Kalanchoe plant named &#39;Patty&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of Kalanchoe plant named ‘Patty’ is provided. This new cultivar is characterized by its bright orange flowers, dark green foliage, compact growth habit and excellent basal branching.

GENUS AND SPECIES OF PLANT CLAIMED

[0001]Kalanchoe blossfeldiana

VARIETY DENOMINATION

[0002] Patty

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention comprises a new and distinct Kalanchoeplant, botanically known as Kalanchoe blossfeldiana, and hereinafterreferred to by the cultivar name ‘Patty’.

[0004] The new cultivar was developed by the inventor through acontrolled breeding program during August 1995 in The Netherlands. Thefemale (seed) parent of ‘Patty’ was the proprietary Kalanchoeblossfeldiana selection designated 95013 (not patented), characterizedby its small orange flowers and good branching habit. The male (pollen)parent of ‘Patty’ was the proprietary Kalanchoe blossfeldiana selectiondesignated 95316-16 (not patented), characterized by its red flowers anddark green foliage. ‘Patty’ was discovered and selected as a floweringplant within the progeny of the stated cross by the inventor in June1996.

[0005] Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by terminal cuttings hasdemonstrated that the characteristics of the new cultivar as hereindescribed are firmly fixed and retained through successive generationsof such asexual propagation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] It was found that the cultivar of the present invention:

[0007] (a) exhibits bright orange flowers,

[0008] (b) forms dark green foliage,

[0009] (c) exhibits a good basal branching character and

[0010] (d) exhibits a compact upright growth habit.

[0011] The new cultivar of the present invention can be compared to‘Arjuno’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 6,632). In side by side comparisons with‘Arjuno’, it is found that the new cultivar is more compact, lessfloriferous and exhibits flowers of a different color. A detailedcomparison is found in Table A.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF PHOTOGRAPH

[0012] The accompanying photograph shows as nearly true as it isreasonably possible to make the same in color illustrations of thistype, typical flower and foliage characteristics of the new cultivar.The plants were grown in a greenhouse at West Chicago, Ill., U.S.A.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

[0013] The cultivar ‘Patty’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions to date. Accordingly, it is possible that thephenotype may vary somewhat with variations in the environment, such astemperature, light intensity, and day length.

[0014] The chart used in the identification of colors described hereinis the R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society, London,England. The color values were determined on Jan. 4, 2001 between 9:00and 9:30 am under natural daylight. The plants used for the followingobservations and measurements were produced from cuttings taken fromstock plants and grown in West Chicago, Ill. in 10 cm pots for nineteen(19) weeks. Plants were grown in a double poly carbonate coveredgreenhouse under conditions comparable to those used in commercialpractice while utilizing a soilless growth medium and maintainingtemperatures of approximately 82° F. during the day and approximately66° F. during the night. Plants were exposed to three weeks of long daysfollowed by 9 weeks of short days. Growth regulators were applied asfollows: B nine, 3000 ppm at days 17 and 28 and 1500 ppm day 42.

[0015] Classification:

[0016]Botanical.—Kalanchoe blossfeldiana, cultivar Patty.

[0017] Parantage:

[0018]Male (pollen) parent.—Proprietary Kalanchoe blossfeldianaselection #95316-16.

[0019]Female (seed) parent.—Proprietary Kalanchoe blossfeldianaselection #95013.

[0020] Propagation:

[0021]Type cutting.—Terminal tip.

[0022]Time to initiate roots.—Approximately 7-14 days with the shortertimes generally being experienced in the summer and the longer times inthe winter.

[0023]Time to develop roots.—Approximately 21 days.

[0024]Root description.—Fibrous, branching.

[0025] Plant description:

[0026]Habit of growth.—Moderately vigorous with good basal branching. Amature plant, at 16 weeks after the planting of an unrooted cutting,commonly measures approximately 13.6 cm in height and approximately 17.1cm in width.

[0027]Branching habit.—Typically forms one main stem 10 cm in length and4 mm in diameter and 14 lateral branches approximately 7.5 cm in lengthand 4 mm in diameter.

[0028]Plant form.—Upright and mounded.

[0029]Foliage.—Form: Simple. Arrangement: Opposite. Shape: Ovate withobtuse apex, cuneate base and crenate margin. Texture: Glabrous,succulent. Size of mature foliage: Approximately 8.7 cm in length andapproximately 5.5 cm in width. Color of mature foliage: Upper surfaceclosest to 137A, lower surface closest to 147B. Petiole length:Approximately 1 cm. Petiole color 137C.

[0030] Flower description:

[0031]Flowering habit.—Freely flowering.

[0032]Natural flowering season.—Early January. Flowering time isdependent on temperature, light intensity and other growing conditions.

[0033]Flowering response time.—Approximately 10 weeks.

[0034]Inflorescence type.—Dichasial cymes.

[0035]Flowers borne.—Above foliage.

[0036]Flower longevity.—Approximately 7 days.

[0037]Fragrance.—None.

[0038]Quantity of flowers.—Approximately 37 flowers on main stem and 24flowers on each lateral branch.

[0039]Flower buds.—Shape: Elliptical, becoming elongated as it matures.Size just before opening: Length is approximately 1.3 cm, width isapproximately 3 mm. Color: 34C.

[0040]Flower.—Salverform Corolla: Diameter is approximately 1.6 cm,depth is approximately 4 mm and aspect is slightly cupped. Corolla tubeis 9 mm in length, 3 mm in diameter.

[0041]Petals.—Number: Four. Shape: Obovate with cuspidate apex, roundedbase and entire margin. Approximate size: 8 mm in length, 5 mm in width.Aspect: Slightly convex. Texture: Glabrous and velvety.

[0042]Sepals.—Number: Four. Shape: Lanceolate with acuminate apex andentire margin. Size: 8 mm in length, 1.5 mm in width. Texture: Glabrous.Color: Upper and lower surface: Between 144B and 144C.

[0043]Mature flower color.—Upper surface of petals is closest to 39Afading to 45C at senescence; lower surface of petals is closest to 31D.

[0044]Peduncle.—Length: Approximately 1.3 cm in length and 2 mm indiameter.

[0045]Pedicel length.—Approximately 7 mm.

[0046]Reproductive organs.—Androecium: 8 stamens arranged in two groupsof four—one group being shorter than the other. Anther shape is oblongand flat, length is approximately 0.5 mm. Pollen color is 3B. Gynoecium:Stigma shape is flat, appearance is crystalline, colorless andtransparent. Style: Length is approximately 2 mm, color is 154B. Ovary:4 celled, 7 mm in length, color is 144B.

[0047] Seed development: Seed development has not been observed.

[0048] Disease resistance: Resistance to known Kalanchoe pathogens hasnot been observed.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Kalanchoe plant named ‘Patty’substantially as herein shown and described, which: (a) exhibits brightorange flowers, (b) forms dark green foliage, (c) exhibits a good basalbranching character and (d) exhibits a compact upright growth habit.